WCHA Weekly Roundup: Nov. 7-8

Only one WCHA team was in action this week as St. Thomas faced Lindenwood in non-conference play. Plus, we take a look at all the WCHA stars shining on the international stage in the Team USA vs. Team Canada 2024-25 Rivalry Series.

The Tommies and Lions met for a weekday matchup in Mendota Heights in what was a quiet week in the WCHA. Thursday’s game featured an onslaught of offense from the Tommies who won 7-2. They scored seven goals in a game for the second time this season. All seven goals came from different players. Nicole Vallario opened the scoring midway through the first period. Lindenwood tied minutes later but the Tommies went on to score two goals in 90 seconds to end the first period. They added on four more goals, three unanswered, to win 7-2. Maddie Brown scored her sixth goal of the season while Ella Boerger led the way with three assists.

But it was a different story in the series finale as the Tommies lost 6-1. Lindenwood got off to a quick 1-0 lead less than four minutes into the game. St. Thomas responded with Cara Sajevic’s second goal of the weekend to end the first tied at one. The tide would change in the second as the Lions took the lead six minutes into the period then followed it up with four more goals. St. Thomas’ Dani Strom was pulled from the game and replaced with Maggie Malecha in net after giving up four goals. The Tommies settled for a series split when all was said and done.

The Tommies had some bright spots in the series as freshmen Ilsa Lindaman recorded her first collegiate point in Thursday’s game and Nora Sauer did the same in Friday’s game both coming off assists.

Under the Bright Lights:

The WCHA was well represented during the 2024-25 Rivalry Series’ three-game set. Both current players and alumni took part. Here are some highlights from current WCHA players shining bright.

In Wednesday’s Game 1, Minnesota’s Abby Murphy and Wisconsin’s Lacey Eden scored two goals a piece to help Team USA to a 7-2 win. 

You couldn’t miss the game winning shootout goal from Game 2 of the series. 17-year-old Chloe Primerano scored a beauty of a goal in her second game with Team Canada to seal a 5-4 shootout win. The Vancouver native currently has six points in 10 games for the Gophers.

Game 3 featured a goal from the NCAA goals leader Wisconsin’s Laila Edwards. She helped Team USA get on the board with an assist from Badger’s teammate Caroline Harvey. Edwards’ goal may have been the only Team USA goal in the 4-1 loss but it continues to show how easily Edwards’ talent can transfer to the big stage.

Weekly Awards:

WCHA Forward of the Week: Cara Sajevic - St. Thomas

For the first time this season, Cara Sajevic took home Forward of the Week honors. Savjevic had a two point night in Thursday’s 7-2 win and followed it up with an assist on Friday for three points in St. Thomas’ series against Lindenwood. The Minnesota native has five goals and three assists in 12 games this season.

WCHA Defender of the Week: Nicole Vallario - St. Thomas

Vallario joins her teammate, Sajevic, in collecting her first WCHA honor this season. Vallario scored the opening goal for the Tommies in Thursday’s win and added an assist later in the game. She recorded four blocked shots to bring her season total to 13.

Looking Forward:

A full slate of WCHA conference matchups are set for this weekend including the series everyone has been waiting for when unbeaten top-ranked Wisconsin (12-0-0) visits second-ranked Ohio State (11-2-2) Minnesota will be making a trip up north for their series against Minnesota - Duluth while Minnesota State visits St. Cloud for a two-game set against the Huskies.

Lastly,

Best of luck to the 72 WCHA alumni participating in PWHL training camps!

Weekly Scoreboard:

Thursday:

Lindenwood 2, St. Thomas 7

Friday:

Lindenwood 6, St. Thomas 1 

Full schedule here